Where to go on a trip Koš

The castle in the beautiful spa town of Bojnice is among the most beautiful and significant monuments in Slovakia. It is located in Trenčiansky kraj, on the western edge of the town of Bojnice, in the district of Prievidza. It is one of the most popular attractions in Slovakia, not only thanks to its breathtaking appearance and varied history, but also its surroundings.

How a wooden castle became a romantic château

The first mention of the existence of a castle with a settlement below it dates back to 1113, when it was still wooden. Later, in the 13th century, it was gradually rebuilt into a stone structure on an elevation, a travertine hill with a deep crater containing a mineral spring in its center. This spring was later converted into a 27-meter-deep well located inside a deep circular cave. The cave has a diameter of more than 20 meters, is 6 meters high, and has been open to the public since 1967. Small lakes up to 9 meters deep surround the cave.

In the 13th century, the core of the castle was surrounded by a wide fortification. Until then, the castle was property of the Poznan family, but toward the end of the century it was seized by Matúš Čák, who owned it until 1321. The subsequent owner was his illegitimate son Ján Korvín; after the death of King Matthias, the castle was occupied by troops of the Zápoľský family. In 1527, Alexander Turzo received the castle as a gift from King Francis, and the Turzo family rebuilt the core of the castle. As the massive fortification that had been built gradually since the end of the 15th century was sufficient for defense, emphasis shifted toward representation and residential comfort. Thus, the originally Gothic castle transformed into a Renaissance château. After the extinction of the Turzo family in 1636, the castle reverted to the Crown, and a year later Emperor Francis III pledged it to Pavol Pálfi.

In 1643, the Pálfi family (sometimes written Pálffy) received hereditary ownership of the castle, rebuilding began once again, and at the end of the 17th century it ultimately gained a Baroque appearance. Its appearance did not change significantly in the subsequent period. In 1852, after a long period of stagnation and decline, the estate was acquired by its last noble owner, Count Ján František Pálfi. Inspired by various French and Tyrolean Gothic castles, the Papal Palace in Avignon, and early Italian Renaissance architecture, he rebuilt the castle into a romantic château. Although the reconstruction had its own architect, Jozef Hubert, the Count himself designed, drew, and directed all the work of the grand Neo-Gothic reconstruction, which lasted a long 22 years. The Count acquired antiques at various European auctions to decorate the interior. Particularly striking is the Serbia-sourced 17th-century wall paneling of the Turkish Hall. In the chapel, he installed an Italian Gothic altar from the second third of the 14th century. A portrait of the owner is even featured in the cartouche of the carved ceiling in the Golden Hall. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the completed work; he died in 1908, two years before the reconstruction was finished.

Following Pálfi's death, disputes over the inheritance broke out. After an amicable agreement between the Count's heirs and the Czechoslovak state, specific collections were set aside to remain preserved, while the rest were auctioned off between 1924 and 1926. In 1939, the Baťa company bought the château and land, but after the war and the issuance of the Beneš decrees, the property fell to the state.

Since 1950, a museum has been located in the château as part of the Slovenské národné múzeum. Ján František Pálfi had already considered this idea; in his 1907 testament, he expressed the wish that Bojnický zámok along with its artworks be made accessible to the public. For some time, this was indeed the case. However, everything changed on May 9, 1950, when a major fire broke out, destroying all the château's towers, after which interior tours were prohibited. Following the subsequent restoration of the destroyed parts, the château's gates gradually began opening to the public once again. Finally, after structural reorganization and inclusion under the Ministry of Culture of the SSR in 1970, Bojnický zámok became a national cultural monument.

Present day of Bojnický zámok and its surroundings

Visitors continue to be fascinated by the view of the surrounding natural environment. The adjacent castle park, which includes a castle lake with a romantic gazebo, features many magnificent mature tree specimens. Among them is the healing Ginkgo biloba tree with the so-called Matejova lipa. Matejova lipa, also known as Lipa kráľa Mateja, was according to legend planted by Matúš Čák Trenčiansky in 1301. King Matthias Corvinus enjoyed hosting banquets beneath it, and it was named after him. As time passed, it began to deteriorate, making ongoing care necessary. In 1969, it was declared a protected natural creation.

Various events are regularly organized at the château, drawing thousands of visitors. Special Valentine's tours, the theater festival Rozprávkový zámok, or night tours. At the château, you can also meet ghosts, Svetlonos, or even St. Nicholas.

Right next to the château is Národná zoologická záhrada Bojnice. It prides itself on being the oldest and most visited zoo in Slovakia. A tour of the château is most frequently combined by visitors with a visit to the zoo. The exposition at the neighboring Dino Adventure Park will amaze not only children. Giant dinosaur sculptures in some cases even move and make sounds. A tour of Múzeum praveku is also interesting and should not be missed.

Whether you need a health-restoring treatment or simply want to indulge in relaxation, Kúpele Bojnice is perfect for that. If traveling with children, visit the beach swimming pool or the highly popular and sought-after Termálne kúpalisko Bojnice, from whose pools you will look directly at the château's towers. A perfect view also awaits you from Vyhliadková veža Bojnice, giving you a bird's-eye view of the entire surrounding area.

As is evident, exploring the attractions in Bojnice simply cannot be done in one day. The solution in this case is to take a multi-day trip. Book accommodation near Bojnický zámok and set off for the adventure that awaits you here.

Forget your worries and treat yourself to relaxation in Vodný svet Kúpeľov Bojnice. Come regenerate and recharge your energy for the new workweek. In addition to the water world and wellness center, you can choose from a whole range of medical procedures and therapies. Try a relaxing hot stone massage or immerse yourself in a beer bath. There are many options to restart your body. Do not hesitate and step right in.

The foundation of medical procedures in Bojnické Kúpele is healing hydrogen-bicarbonate and calcium-magnesium water, which springs from a depth of 1,200–1,500 m. Its beneficial effects act favorably on diseases of the musculoskeletal system and the vegetative nervous system. If you are not among the spa guests, you can still make use of the thermal pools, saunas, and medical procedures in LD Mier and LD Bôrina.

In Liečebný dom Mier, you have 1 outdoor and 3 indoor pools at your disposal, with water temperatures ranging from 30 to 38 °C. Treat your body to a detox and visit Saunový svet as well. Try the salt bath, during which you will feel as if you were by the sea. The herbal bath will rid you of a cold, and aromatic additives as well as herbal extracts will clear your airways. Treat yourself to a stay in a sanarium, where a combination of 5 different spa procedures will lower your high blood pressure and boost your immunity. Finally, visit the Finnish sauna, which will rid your body of toxic substances. Do not forget to cool off with a cold shower after saunabathing.

Liečebný dom Bôrina offers you recreational swimming in 1 outdoor and 2 indoor pools. The water temperature here ranges between 32–39 °C. In both spa houses, as well as in LD Lysec, you can treat yourself to various medical procedures such as massages, different types of baths, wraps, and compresses. Traditional Chinese acupuncture, cupping, oxygen therapy, and electrotherapy are also on offer.

One day will certainly not be enough to experience all these wonderful procedures, so book your accommodation near Termálne kúpalisko Kúpeľov Bojnice today. You can choose from comfortable hotels, cozy guesthouses, and stylishly furnished apartments. You can browse the entire accommodation offer on the accommodation in Bojnice page.

Bojnice ranks among the most sought-after tourist destinations in Slovakia. You can fill the time between swimming and medical procedures with romantic walks around the spa area. If you like animals, visit Zoologická záhrada Bojnice. Be sure not to miss the pride of Bojnice, the beautiful Bojnický zámok. After touring the castle, head 100 m lower and watch an engaging falconry show by Sokoliari Aquila. Among the places worth visiting are Múzeum praveku and Vyhliadková veža Bojnice, from which you will have the whole town in the palm of your hand.

You might sometimes ask yourself what to do during summer days when the temperature on the thermometer exceeds 20 °C. If you are in Bojnice, be sure to visit the pools of the summer Termálne kúpalisko Čajka thermal pool. It is excellent and sought-after mainly because it contains thermal water. And who wouldn't want to enjoy views right from the pool directly toward Bojnický zámok castle?

In the Hornonitrianska kotlina basin, on the eastern foot of the Malá Magura mountains, lies the Kúpalisko Čajka thermal pool, popular with locals and tourists alike. Simply park your car right at the entrance to the pool area and enjoy days when the sun caresses your skin and the water has a beneficial effect on your body. Step down the stairs into the 50 m swimming pool and swim at a leisurely pace. You will certainly be surprised by the pleasant water with a temperature ranging from 26 to 33 °C. Since the pool area is mostly preferred by families with children, the operators have thought of the little ones as well. They can splash around in one of 2 children's pools, which are enhanced with interesting attractions. Sometimes, just a circular fountain or a jet spouting from the edge of the pool is enough to make children's hearts leap with joy.

To prevent your body from reaching a point where your skin becomes completely pruned, spread out your blanket and soak up some vitamin D. Whether you choose a comfortable grassy area where a tree casts natural shade, or prefer to lay out your towels on a concrete area, we leave that up to you. Of course, one of the options is also sun loungers, which are available for rent.

The pool complex is spacious and, in addition to swimming, offers its visitors opportunities to enjoy activities on several sports grounds. Will you play volleyball, football, or consider a game of giant chess? Happy mothers will pass the time with their toddlers at the children's playground. If you get hungry and do not want to leave the complex, your needs will be perfectly met by a fast-food snack bar. Changing rooms and a storage facility for personal belongings are also available to you.

Extend your stay at the pool as long as possible in the summer. Look for accommodation near Termálne kúpalisko Čajka Bojnice. The streets of Bojnice are charming during evening walks as well, when you can see the beautifully illuminated Bojnický zámok castle. Its interiors, however, are even more enchanting. During the day, Sokoliari Aquila will try to entertain you with their interesting shows and various species of birds of prey. You can top off the program for your children with a visit to Zoologická záhrada Bojnice or take them to Dino park Bojnice.

Just as there are many attractions in Bojnice, accommodation facilities in Bojnice are also abundant on our portal MegaUbytovanie.sk. Feel free to book apartmány Bojnice right in the center, keeping everything you want to see within easy reach. A somewhat more intimate atmosphere is provided by family penzióny Bojnice or recreational chaty a chalupy Bojnice. In case you need help, do not hesitate to contact us.

The ruins of the Uhrovec castle rank among the best-preserved in Slovakia. They are located on a castle hill above the village of Uhrovec. This craft town with market rights is the famous birthplace of such prominent personalities as Ľudovít Štúr and Alexander Dubček. The castle, which has guarded this charming town for centuries, stands on an outcrop of the Nitrické vrchy hills, part of the Strážovské vrchy mountain range, at an altitude of 591 m above sea level.

You can reach the castle from the village of Uhrovské Podhradie. Park your car in the former quarry above the village. From there, follow the trail to the information board. Turn right behind it. Afterwards, you have the option to choose either the steeper green trail or the more comfortable blue-marked hiking trail. Depending on which one you choose, the walk will take you 40 to 60 minutes. The total elevation gain of the trail is 276 m.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, you will find relatively well-preserved castle ruins. The layout has a triangular shape with corner bastions rising at the corners. One of them was triangular, the second was prismatic, and the third was a donjon type. The latter is a residential tower that served as the final refuge for the castle garrison during a siege. The Late Romanesque chapel with an emporium is also remarkably well-preserved and unique in Slovakia. Originally a Late Gothic palace, it underwent extensive Renaissance renovations. It fulfilled a defensive function mainly during the Turkish raids. In the 18th century, it was destroyed by fire. As the nobility preferred living in the more comfortable manor house in the village, the castle slowly fell into ruin. Today, efforts are underway for its conservation and partial reconstruction.

The origin of the castle is historically dated to the second half of the 13th century. Its construction was brought about by the wealthy Trenčín ispán (župan) Báša. However, the first written record of its existence, stating that Matúš Čák Trenčiansky exchanged land in Tekov for the Uhrovec castle, dates back to 1295. He owned the castle until his death in 1321. Subsequent owners included his successor King Charles Robert, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Stibor of Beckov, and Albert of Habsburg. In the 15th century, the castle was owned by the Pongrác family, who are associated with money counterfeiting. The last prominent noble family associated with the castle for two centuries was the Zay family.

Two legends are tied to the castle. One originates from the period of the Turkish raids. It mentions that the lady of the castle at the time mortally wounded the commander of a Turkish troop with an arrow from her bow while he was bathing in the stream below the castle. When his companions saw this, they panicked and galloped away. They were stunned by the accuracy and power of a woman's shot and imagined what would happen once the men started shooting. And what is the second legend about? You will find out from the information board during your visit to the castle.

After ascending to the castle, you have several options for how to spend your time. On hot summer days, you might enjoy a refreshing swim or fishing at the Prusy water reservoir or the Termálne kúpalisko Pažiť thermal pool near Bánovce nad Bebravou. You can enjoy a view of a sky full of mysteries at the Hvezdáreň Partizánske observatory. You also have the option to visit the reconstructed manor house in Šimonovany. The region offers many cultural attractions, but especially various thermal pools, such as the Termálne kúpalisko Malé Bielice or Termálne kúpalisko Chalmová, which are definitely worth a visit.

Tired from hiking and thermal waters, you will certainly appreciate the accommodation options offered by our providers, so book your accommodation near the Uhrovec castle. We recommend cozy Uhrovec apartments, as well as romantic cottages and cabins. Which choice you prefer is entirely up to you. You will experience unique moments everywhere.